Legal Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
EUROCONTROL is an intergovernmental organization established to support European aviation. Founded in 1960, it plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic management across Europe. With a workforce of over 1,800 employees, EUROCONTROL operates in 41 member states, providing a range of services including air traffic management, safety oversight, and the development of aviation policies. The organization is committed to fostering collaboration among its member states to enhance the performance of the European air traffic management system, ensuring that it meets the needs of the aviation community and the public.

Job Overview:
The Legal Assistant position at EUROCONTROL is designed for individuals who are keen to contribute to legal matters within the organization. The role involves drafting and reviewing legal texts, conducting legal research, and providing support in administrative legal matters such as staff complaints and investigations. The Legal Assistant will play a vital role in ensuring compliance with applicable rules and regulations, while also maintaining meticulous organization and planning of legal and administrative processes. This position requires a proactive approach to managing deadlines and priorities, ensuring that the service operates smoothly and efficiently. The Legal Assistant will also be involved in preparing and coordinating meetings for statutory committees and social dialogue, taking minutes, and drafting reports, thereby contributing to the overall governance and operational effectiveness of the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Legal Assistant include:

• Drafting and reviewing legal texts and working papers to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Conducting legal research and handling administrative legal matters, particularly in the context of staff complaints and investigations.
• Preparing planning and required actions to comply with legal processes and procedures, including statutory committees and complaints procedures.
• Maintaining an overview of the service's workload and associated deadlines.
• Organizing meetings for statutory committees, including preparing agendas, working papers, and presentations, as well as taking minutes and following up on actions.
• Contributing to the development of working papers and presentations for social dialogue meetings.
• Providing advice and support to management and participating in working groups and committees as needed.
• Carrying out any other tasks in line with the main purpose of the job, ensuring that all activities align with the organization's goals and standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in law, with a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience, or a university degree in law of at least four years with a minimum of three years of relevant working experience. Additionally, experience or knowledge of employment conditions gained in a public international organization or a law firm is required. Candidates should also have experience in conducting legal research and organizing statutory committees and social dialogue meetings, which would be considered an asset. Strong technical drafting skills, planning and organizing abilities, analytical thinking, effective communication skills, and a commitment to quality are essential for this role. Candidates must also demonstrate a sense of confidentiality and the ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment, adhering to the corporate behaviors of the Agency.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Legal Assistant position includes a university degree in law. This degree should be complemented by relevant professional experience, with specific requirements being either a three-year degree with four years of experience or a four-year degree with three years of experience. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the legal frameworks and regulations that govern the organization's operations.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for this position includes a minimum of three to four years of relevant professional experience in legal roles. Candidates should have a background in employment conditions, preferably gained in a public international organization or a law firm. Experience in conducting legal research and organizing meetings for statutory committees and social dialogue is highly desirable, as these skills will directly contribute to the effectiveness of the Legal Assistant's role within the organization.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and French is mandatory for this position, with candidates expected to demonstrate a C1 level of proficiency in both languages according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This bilingual requirement is essential for effective communication within the multinational and multicultural environment of EUROCONTROL, where both languages are used in official communications and documentation.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a contract for a duration of five years, with the possibility of extension or conversion into an undetermined contract. Candidates must successfully complete a probationary period of nine months before being established in the post. The selected candidate will be engaged at the basic grade of the advertised grades, and those declared suitable but not selected will be placed on a reserve list for similar roles, valid for one year from the closing date of applications. Applications are accepted only from nationals of EUROCONTROL Member States, and candidates may be required to provide documentary evidence confirming they meet the minimum education requirements. The organization emphasizes equality and diversity, and in the event of equal merit, preference may be given to applicants from under-represented diversity characteristics.